Ketamine Treatment for Spinal Injury in Southern California

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that can be debilitating to a patient’s physical, psychological and social well-being. An acute injury to the back or neck can impact the way a person moves, eats, breathes, and sleeps, and most patients with SCIs experience chronic pain.

In the United States, chronic back and neck pain are the most common reasons adults seek medical care. Not only do chronic pain sufferers experience reductions in their quality of life, but they may also face an increased risk of opioid dependence, anxiety and depression. It’s no wonder that so many Americans with chronic pain are in search of evidence-based therapies that provide relief.

At Neuro Wellness Spa, we use intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy to help our patients with spinal cord injury, or chronic neck and back pain find that relief.

If you’re experiencing chronic neck or back pain, or have suffered an SCI, and would like to learn more about IV ketamine as a treatment option, you are invited to call today to set up a free consultation, or contact us here.

What is Ketamine IV Therapy?

Millions of people suffer from chronic and debilitating physical and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. However, many of these conditions may stop responding to medications, like anti-depressants, and other therapies. IV ketamine therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for people who suffer from treatment-resistant:

Depression

Anxiety

Acute suicidality

PTSD

Chronic pain

Physicians have used Ketamine for over 50 years as an anesthetic. However, new research indicates its effectiveness in other applications too.

Researchers at Mass General Hospital conducted the largest study of IV ketamine therapy. They found that over 70% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom relief with IV ketamine therapy. This study, along with a growing number of others, is a major finding that demonstrates the effectiveness of IV ketamine for those who have tried standard treatments but haven’t responded adequately.

What is Ketamine IV Therapy?

NeuroWellness Spa TMS Offices

Millions of people suffer from chronic and debilitating physical and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. However, many of these conditions may stop responding to medications, like anti-depressants, and other therapies. IV ketamine therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for people who suffer from treatment-resistant:

Depression

Anxiety

Acute suicidality

PTSD

Chronic pain

Physicians have used Ketamine for over 50 years as an anesthetic. However, new research indicates its effectiveness in other applications too.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Machine at the NeuroWellness Spa.

Researchers at Mass General Hospital conducted the largest study of IV ketamine therapy. They found that over 70% of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom relief with IV ketamine therapy. This study, along with a growing number of others, is a major finding that demonstrates the effectiveness of IV ketamine for those who have tried standard treatments but haven’t responded adequately.

How is a Spinal Injury Treated with Ketamine IV Therapy?

For over 50 years, ketamine has been used widely as a safe, FDA-approved anesthetic. Within the past 20 years, research has investigated the use of ketamine to treat both physical and mental disorders.

Research has shown that ketamine is effective for treating severe depression, PTSD, anxiety, and many other conditions. Studies suggest that ketamine can treat chronic pain, like that which results from spinal cord injuries. Ketamine may also have the potential to reduce dependency on other painkillers and opioids by relieving the symptoms of chronic pain.

Ketamine works by stimulating brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the growth of neurons in the brain. Researchers have also observed increased synaptic connections in patients treated with IV Ketamine therapy. This neuronal growth and increased neuronal interconnectivity relieve symptoms of chronic pain.

At Neuro Wellness Spa, a registered nurse distributes ketamine to the body through an IV. Dosage depends on body weight. NWS follows the accepted guideline of 0.5mg/kg body weight for the initial infusion.

The entire process occurs in a controlled medical setting and patients are continuously monitored.

Delivered at a slow and controlled rate, the procedure is very safe. IV ketamine does not suppress the respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Patients won’t hallucinate or become unconscious. Few, if any, side effects result. Patients may feel disoriented, nauseous, or sensitive to light and sounds.

So how does the ketamine for spinal injury work?

A spinal injury is an injury to the spinal cord that leads to varying degrees of motor and/or sensory deficits and paralysis. Pain is common among patients with spinal cord injury and may persist for many years after the acute trauma.

A spinal injury manifests differently in every sufferer. Each injury varies in intensity based on the:

Location of the injury on the spine

Severity of the injury

Some people with an SCI will experience a complete loss of motor function. While most will experience incomplete motor and sensory impairment, and may experience symptoms such as:

Difficulty breathing

Reduced mobility or range of motion

Intense stinging

Muscle spasms

If you have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, and are experiencing chronic pain, consider asking your doctor whether IV ketamine is a treatment option for you.

Spinal Injury Statistics

The prevalence of spinal cord injury in the United States is high (906 per million) compared to other countries

Each year, there are 17,700 new spinal injury cases in the US

The leading cause of spinal cord injuries (39.3% of new cases) is vehicle crashes, followed by slips or falls (31.8% of new cases)

Approximately 291,000 people are living with a spinal cord injury in the United States

Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Injury

Following an accident, it’s possible that a sufferer might not be aware of a spinal cord injury. However, there are several warning signs of SCI’s:

Contact a medical provider immediately if you experience the following symptoms after a car accident, slip, fall, violent encounter, or other trauma:

Extreme pressure to the back, neck, or head

Uncompromising aching or stinging to the back, neck, or head

Loss of range of motion or motor function

Loss of coordination or difficulty balancing

Difficulty breathing

Loss of sensation such as numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Inability to control bladder

When incurred, spinal cord injuries often manifest differently in different people. It’s possible to experience just one, or several symptoms of the symptoms listed above after an accident.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and believe you might have a spinal cord injury, contact a medical professional immediately.

How Does This Therapy Feel?

At Neuro Wellness Spa, we administer low levels of ketamine in a controlled environment.

Ketamine can be used an anesthetic during surgery. However, the dosage we use during therapy is much lower.

At Neuro Wellness Spa we use FDA-approved doses and closely monitor our patients to make sure they are comfortable and relaxed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING IV KETAMINE THERAPY TREATMENTS?

One-on-One Consultation with an Expert Psychiatrist

A physician will begin by reviewing your medical records and consulting with you about your needs and preferences for treatment.

You will be asked some important questions.

Such as height, weight, age, and medical history as part of your treatment assessment. This information helps the physicians and medical staff prepare your treatment plan.

Ketamine infusions are administered on an outpatient basis.

Ketamine is administered through an IV, and the infusion lasts between 40-50 minutes.

Your treatment environment can have a large impact on your experience of the infusion.

Your clinician may lower the lights, offer an eye mask or aromatherapy, or take other measures to make the setting more comfortable. You might also choose some relaxing music to help you through the onset phase.

Ketamine is administered through an IV.

You will receive treatment in a private room, accompanied by a trained healthcare professional for the duration of the infusion. As the ketamine is delivered at a low and controlled dosage, your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation will be monitored.

IV Ketamine therapy is fast-acting.

Although you remain aware of your surroundings, you will experience deep relaxation. It is important to enter each infusion with a positive mindset and a tranquil setting.

Some patients may experience dizziness, nausea, dissociation or fatigue.

A complete list of possible side effects will be discussed with you prior to treatment. After a treatment session, it is important to have someone available to accompany you home safely.

Your mindset and emotional state before treatment can impact your experience of the infusion.

Prior to every ketamine infusion, we help our patients prepare intentions for their therapy. The stronger and clearer the intention, the more profound it may help the therapy to be.

Contact Neuro Wellness Spa

At Neuro Wellness Spa, we have successfully treated many patients with IV ketamine therapy. If you are suffering from chronic pain as a result of a spinal injury, ketamine infusions may help relieve your pain and increase your rate of recovery.

Contact NWS by giving us a call (1-877-847-3984), by requesting more information on our website or by visiting us at one of our three locations in Southern California. We look forward to helping you develop a personalized plan for symptom relief today.